Redmond reaches out to former teammate Beckett

WASHINGTON -- Count Marlins manager Mike Redmond among those who congratulated Josh Beckett for his no-hitter on Sunday afternoon.

Redmond caught many of Beckett's games early in the right-hander's career with the Marlins.

Beckett, now with the Dodgers, no-hit the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Redmond said he sent Beckett a message, praising him for his effort.

"He's not the kind of guy who really looks at the stats and all that stuff," Redmond said. "But with all the big games that he pitched, he definitely deserved a no-hitter. It was cool. I wish I could have been out there to catch him."

The Marlins have faced Beckett twice this season, splitting the two games.

Beckett, now 34, is in the twilight of his impressive career, which includes a World Series MVP Award with the Marlins in 2003, plus a 20-win season and a second World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2007.

Recently, Redmond spoke with Beckett about the pitcher's future.

"We were talking about just baseball and how many years he's played and how he feels," Redmond said. "When you start talking about maybe your career ending and whatever decision he makes, I told him, I said, 'Hey, man, you never know, this might be your best year. This might be the year you have the most fun because you have no expectations on yourself. You go out there, pitch every five days.'"

Colonel's son Baker appreciates Memorial Day game

WASHINGTON -- Memorial Day is more than a one-day event for Marlins infielder Jeff Baker.

"To come out here and play baseball for a living, I'm very appreciative of it," Baker said. "I like to think that Memorial Day is kind of an every-day thing, not just today."

Baker was born to a military family in Germany, and the 32-year-old has lived in more places around the world than he can remember.

Baker's father, Larry, attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., spending more than 20 years in the Army before retiring as a colonel. Today he is a teacher at Gar-Field High School in Virginia.

Growing up, Baker lived in West Point, Norfolk, Va., Egypt, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Key West and Colorado Springs. There could have been more stops along the way, but off the top of his head, Baker couldn't recall.

Major League Baseball has made recognizing Memorial Day a tradition. To commemorate the day, the Marlins sported camouflage caps and uniforms on Monday at Nationals Park.

"I think it's great," Baker said. "Whether it's the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day -- the platform that we have, with the television exposure, the media outlets, the social media, the whole nine yards -- we're able to recognize this stuff and maybe help get people aware of whatever it is. Whether it is breast cancer, Memorial Day, the troops, all of that stuff.

"Major League Baseball has a responsibility. I think we're doing a better job, and I hope to see it continue, continue and continue. Keep doing it. Whether it's the hats, the jerseys, the pink bats or whatever, I think all that stuff is great."

Because of how much military life means to Baker, playing at Nationals Park was fitting on Memorial Day.

"I'm really excited. D.C. is home for me," he said. "I'm sure there are going to be a lot of people out there, a lot of people in the military, former and present. I'm always excited to take part in it today.

"The big thing for me, growing up in a military family, you kind of realize that basically every day is kind of Memorial Day. You have friends and family who are affected, whether they are overseas now or someone has given up their life for us to live the way we live today."

Wolf to stay in rotation, face Braves on Saturday

WASHINGTON -- One rough start hasn't caused the Marlins to reconsider their rotation.

Randy Wolf, tagged for six runs (four earned) in Sunday's loss to the Brewers at Marlins Park, will remain in the starting five. The 37-year-old lefty is scheduled to start on Saturday at home against the Braves.

Wolf was signed on May 14 to add a veteran presence to the rotation after Jose Fernandez went down with a season-ending right elbow injury.

Wolf made two relief appearances before getting his first start against the Brewers, which turned out to be a rough one.

"He will stay in the rotation and get another start against Atlanta," manager Mike Redmond said. "He was up in the zone. He's a guy who relies on his offspeed pitches and being able to command his curveball and his changeup. It seems like it was a struggle for him. They got on him quickly, and that really ended up being the difference."

Redmond praised Wolf for making it through five innings, which helped take the heat off the bullpen.

"He hadn't pitched in a big league game in a long time," Redmond said. "It's a testament to how hard he's worked to get himself back. His first outing was a little rough. Hopefully the second one will be lights-out. I've seen him lights-out."

Dietrich not averse to being hit by pitch

WASHINGTON -- Taking one for the team is no problem for Derek Dietrich.

In fact, the left-handed-hitting second baseman willingly will accept a few bumps and bruises if it can help the Marlins.

Dietrich ranks among the MLB leaders in what can be a painful category for a batter. He was struck by a pitch on Monday for an eighth time this season, tying him with Neil Walker of the Pirates for the most in the Majors.

Dietrich has been hit so often, his teammates have asked if he is seeing the ball clearly.

"I know exactly where it's going," Dietrich said.

The way Dietrich sees things, when he is batting second ahead of Giancarlo Stanton, he will do anything to get on base.

"Anything you can do to get on in front of Stanton," Dietrich said. "That's my whole goal, getting on base in front of him. You know when he comes up, he's got a chance to drive in a bunch of people."

The knack for being hit happened again for Dietrich on Monday in the third inning when he was grazed by a Tanner Roark pitch with two outs. One pitch later, Stanton blasted a two-run homer to center.

Dietrich is doing more than his part to get on base anyway possible.

Marlins batters have been struck by a pitch 11 times. Reed Johnson is second on the club, being pegged twice.

Dietrich is becoming another second baseman who gets hit often. Philadelphia's Chase Utley has a history of not backing down from a pitch.

"He's another guy who stays in there always," Dietrich said. "It's always been what I've been known for. I'm always looking to get on base, walk, hit by pitch, whatever it takes."

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.